Ed Sheeran returns to stage after long hiatus

Ed Sheeran broke his long hiatus from music to perform at a charity event in London on Wednesday (30.11.16).

The 'I See Fire' hitmaker has been on a break for most of 2016, but he returned to the stage at the Natural History Museum for an acoustic set in front of just 350 lucky audience members at the East Anglian Children's Hospices gala.

Speaking to the crowd, the 25-year-old singer revealed during his almost a year long break he spent a month in Japan.

He said: "It's nice to be back. I've had a whole year off. I went to Japan for about a month."

The flame-haired singer then joked about having his face sliced open by Princess Beatrice, when she pretended to knight James Blunt at a bash.

He added: "Hung out with Japanese people...got my face cut open, anyone read about that?"

Before performing his biggest hits including 'Thinking Out Loud', Ed appeared nervous at his first live show of the year.

He said: "This is the first time I've done a show in a year, so please bear with me."

This isn't the first time Ed has done his bit for charity, as last month he surprised a terminally ill fan and serenaded her in hospital.

He popped in to the children's ward of Epsom Hospital in Surrey to see nine-year-old Melody Driscoll, who suffers from a rare genetic disorder called Retts Syndrome.

Ed's visit came after the family and Croydon Police launched a campaign to bring her face to face with the pop star.

At the time, PC Stewart Lawless said: "Due to Melody's health conditions doctors told her family that she would only live until the age of five, however almost nearing her tenth birthday she is showing how much of a fighter she is.

"Despite her health condition Melody has always battled through with the help of music by Ed Sheeran and loves his songs music as they help her through her time in the hospital.

"Melody also loves Beauty and the Beast and police in Croydon ask that any residents wishing to give Melody a happy Christmas this year please donate Beauty and the Beast gifts to either New Addington or Croydon Police station addressed to 'FIELDWAY LPT.'"